Killzone 3 in 3D: incredible, but who will get to enjoy it?

Sony showed an amazing Killzone 3 level during its press briefing at E3 this …

One of the highlights of Sony's uneven press event was seeing a very long section of Killzone 3, played for the audience. Before the event began, we were given 3D glasses, and being asked to put them on for some of the press events evoked flashbacks from CES. 3D can make some content look great, but I'm with Nintendo: being forced to put on glasses in order to enjoy it is the worst.

The gameplay was filled with shooting in tight spaces, brutal kills, and a jetpack that looked like it was a blast to use. While Halo has jetpacks too, the Killzone variety looked like a dangerous, powerful beast that takes balls to strap on and use. It fits the game's setting and is a great addition to the game. Watching the player flying over the roiling water far below while shooting at the Helghast was a definite highlight. Make no mistake: Killzone 3 looks amazing, and in 3D, doubly so.

Still, are you going to be buying a 3D TV this year? 3D is an amazing way to show the game at a press event, but I have to wonder how many PS3 gamers are actually going to be able to enjoy the game in this way. 3D televisions remain an expensive niche product, and banking so much of a press event as important as E3 on technology very few of your customers will be enjoying feels like hubris. Sony is heavily invested in 3D, and someone has to release the content, but the emphasis on the technology seems misplaced, especially when Nintendo is showing off a 3D device that doesn't require glasses and is likely to be sold at a reasonable price.

If you're ever given the chance to see Sony demo its games running on 3D, take it. The experience will knock your block off. Will it make you want to spend thousands of dollars on a new TV? It's doubtful.